NEWS
HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Rayong chemical plant erupts into intense inferno

Behave during Songkran or you could be fined

Freak storm causes property damage and flooding around the city

Most of SEA reefs severely threatened

Many local dignitaries pay final respects to one of Pattaya’s “original” city fathers

Novices enter monkhood as part of anti-drug campaign

Sawang Boriboon Foundation prepared for the worst during Songkran Festival

Pattaya asks Songkran celebrants to protect traditional values

Calling all shutterbugs - City to hold photo competition

PBTA asks to shorten Wisdom Fair

Contractor had minor wife - major problems

Teenage gang hacks man’s arm with machete

Englishman trapped under crane for over an hour

Paraplegic teenager found suffocated in his room

Rayong chemical plant erupts into intense inferno

Rayong governor orders evacuation of the area

Flammable chemicals in the Thai Doe No Den Company in Rayong caught fire just after noon on April 10, causing an intense inferno that took firefighters over 5 hours to control.

The plant produces highly flammable solvents and paint thinner.

Toxic smoke billowed over 100 meters into the sky when highly-flammable chemicals at the Thai Doe No Den Company in Rayong burst into flames. People in the area were evacuated from their homes and the Chonburi-Rayong Highway was temporarily closed for fear of explosion.

Thick, toxic smoke billowed over 100 meters high, and as the smoke spread, Rayong governor Prapan Cholweerawong ordered the area evacuated.

Wuthisak Wangdee, a production worker at the plant, told investigators that he and 40 other employees were working on the first floor as normal when at about 12:30 p.m. they heard what sounded like a crackling fire coming from within pipes overhead. Shortly after, they saw sparks near a chemical container, and immediately employed fire extinguishers to try and contain the fire. However, they could not control it because of all the flammable chemicals in that area.

Wuthisak said the fire jumped to larger tanks and began to spread, quickly engulfing the entire second and third floors. Wuthisak said at that point, all the workers ran for their lives.

Firefighters from ten brigades were called to the scene, including three foam trucks from Laem Chabang and Maptaphut.

Firefighters were able to remove over 300 barrels containing about 200 liters of chemicals from the building. Inside eight large tanks and about 200 barrels were destroyed.

After five hours, firefighters were able to contain the blaze and keep it from spreading to other buildings nearby. However, the three-story building was gutted. Damages were estimated at about 50 million baht.

Building #4 at the Thai Doe No Den Company in Rayong was completely gutted.

No serious injuries were reported.

People living in the area were evacuated from their homes for 24 hours to let the danger subside and to allow the carbon fumes to dissipate.

As the plant is situated next to the Rayong-Chonburi Highway, roadblocks were set up and only one lane of traffic was let through for fear the chemicals might explode.

The plant is Japanese owned. Thai managing directors Vithoon Pramote Paiboon and Narong Tatwongse were not at the scene.


Behave during Songkran or you could be fined

Police announce 2000 baht fines for misbehavers

Pattaya police have issued a strong warning to all residents and tourists celebrating the Songkran festival that anyone found using ice, dangerous items like homemade water guns from PVC pipes, dirty water, or powder of any kind will be fined 2,000 baht.

The warning stated that drunk and disorderly behavior and any form of sexual harassment will also face strong penalties and a hefty fine.

Police ask that everyone respect the traditional values of Songkran and Thai culture.


Freak storm causes property damage and flooding around the city

Mother Nature throws the first water for Songkran

Perhaps Mother Nature wanted to join in the Songkran fun, as she let loose with a deluge of rain and strong winds on Thursday, April 11, just days before the national Songkran celebrations were set to get underway. The freak storm caused flooding throughout the city’s road network and caused property damage throughout the resort.

Strong winds and heavy rains toppled motorbikes and flooded the city streets last week, just days before the national Songkran celebrations were set to get underway. Perhaps Mother Nature was just having a little fun?

The freak storm hit Pattaya at approximately 2 p.m. and was too much for the city’s drainage system to handle. The resulting overflow of sewage onto Pattaya streets emitted a foul smelling odor; one which residents and business owners in the South Pattaya area complain is a common occurrence. Area residents told Pattaya Mail that they wonder if the city will ever get around to correcting the problem.

Strong winds also toppled motorbikes on Beach Road and in South Pattaya, knocking them down like dominoes. Fallen tree limbs also caused property damage.


Most of SEA reefs severely threatened

A report, hailed as the most detailed analysis of threats to reefs in Southeast Asia, has estimated that 88 percent of reefs in the region are severely threatened by human activities, according to a report from Bernama News Agency.

The report, “Reefs at Risk in Southeast Asia”, cited over-fishing, destructive fishing methods as well as sedimentation and pollution from land-based sources as the main source of threats to reefs in Southeast Asia, a region which is considered the global epicenter of marine diversity.

“Coral reefs are a cornerstone of the economic and social fabric of Southeast Asia, yet they are the most threatened reefs in the world,” said Lauretta Burke, a co-author of the report.

The report was published by World Resource Institute, an environmental policy research institute based in Washington. Burke said however, “Although our report indicates that the picture is pretty grim, it will provide resource managers and government officials with the kind of information that they need to effectively manage their coral reefs.”

The analysis was part of collaboration between 35 scientists from across the region, the United States, Australia and Britain who compiled a vast database on the region’s coral reefs. According to the report, over 90 percent of the coral reefs in Cambodia, Singapore, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, China and the Spratly Islands and over 85 percent of reefs in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia are threatened.

Indonesia and the Philippines, which are among the world’s largest archipelagos, hold 77 percent of the region’s coral reefs and nearly 80 percent of all the threatened reefs.

The report concludes that over-fishing threatened about 64 percent of Southeast Asia’s reefs with Cambodia, Japan and the Philippines exceeding 70 percent.

“If fishing in Southeast Asia is not reduced to more sustainable levels, both coral reefs and food security will be further imperiled,” said Mark Spalding, also a co-author of the report. Southeast Asia has nearly 100,000 sq km of coral reefs or 34 percent of the world’s total and house over 600 of the 800 reef-building coral species in the world.

Using the example of Sabah, the report says the state has about 3,000 sq km of coral reefs, most of which are under medium or high threat from human activities. “The greatest percentage of threat is attributable to destructive fishing (89 percent) and over fishing (66 per cent). Coastal development impacts an estimated 29 percent of reefs while sedimentation from inland sources impacts an estimated 19 percent of coral reefs,” the report said.

When the threats from land-based sources of pollution and from fishing are combined, almost all, or 98 percent of Sabah’s coral reefs are rated as threatened. “As such, establishing marine protected areas alone cannot entirely protect coral reefs. Integrated coastal zone development, with consideration on the environmental impacts on coral reefs, is an important complementary tool to protect coral reefs,” said Dr Annadel S Cabanban, a contributing author of the report. (TNA)


Many local dignitaries pay final respects to one of Pattaya’s “original” city fathers

Choob Watfuangfoong helped develop the Pattaya of today

A large contingent of local figures turned out this week to pay their final respects to one of Pattaya’s original city fathers, Choob Watfuangfoong, whose cremation and funeral ceremonies were held at PotisamphanTemple.

Choob Watfuangfoong, considered one of Pattaya’s original city fathers, passed away on December 25. He was 80 years old.

Many well-known local figures attended his funeral ceremonies and offered 9 sets of robes to monks as a sign of respect.

Sonthaya Khunpluem, Minister of Science, Technology and Environment presided over the special cremation ceremony. The mayor of Saensuk Municipality Somchai Khunpluem, provincial council member Thonglor Umpueng, Chonburi MP Charnsak Chawalitnititum, Pattaya mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat and Chanyut Hengtrakul also attended the funeral ceremonies.

Choob Watfuangfoong was born on February 8, 1921 in Nakorn Chaisri District, Nakorn Pathom. At the young age of 25 he moved to Pattaya with his family, then married Ms. Kaset Puangpadung.

Soon after arriving in Pattaya, he began working with Parinya Chawalitthamrong, at that time the chairman of the land development department. Together they shared the task of improving and reforming property in Pattaya, and in large part were responsible for making the city what is has become today - a world class tourist resort.

Choob is survived by 12 children.


Novices enter monkhood as part of anti-drug campaign

Will learn the Dhamma in honor of HM the King

Over 200 young novice monks entered the priesthood at Nongprue temple this week as part of an anti drug program in honor of His Majesty the King.

During their 24-day stay at the temple, the 215 novices will learn the Dhamma (Buddhist doctrine). The mission is part of an anti-drug program begun a couple years ago to honor His Majesty the King’s 75th birthday, an ambitious program that has as its goal to teach all young men the Dhamma in hopes of discouraging drug use.

On April 9 at 7 a.m. the novices were taken out to receive their first alms at the old and new markets in Rongpoh. A large number of believers made merit by participating in the ceremony of giving alms to the young novice monks.

Many of the alms will be donated to monks at the temple, as well as to the novices to use during their stay.

The remaining items will be distributed to poor children in the north east of Thailand at the behest of His Majesty The King.


Sawang Boriboon Foundation prepared for the worst during Songkran Festival

In preparation of the expected increase in traffic fatalities and other related accidents during Songkran, the Sawang Boriboon Foundation set up emergency response outposts at 4 points in the area so that they could respond more quickly.

The four points where their emergency response teams were waiting at the ready were: the Kratinglai Intersection flyover; in front of the Banglamung District Office; along Central Pattaya Road and by-roads; and at the Grand Condominium crossroad.

Emergency response teams manned all four areas 24 hours a day during the holiday period.


Pattaya asks Songkran celebrants to protect traditional values

Traditional celebrations to continue April 20

Pattaya’s Deputy Mayor, Wuttisak Rermkitjakarn called together the leaders and committee members of 16 communities to inform them that this year the city’s policy is to protect Thai traditions during the Pattaya Songkran and Naklua festivals.

Wuttisak said that even though the full Pattaya Festival will no longer be held at this time of year, the annual splash fest is going on as usual. While the rest of the kingdom celebrated Songkran on the 13th, Naklua festivities were held on the 18th, followed by the annual Pattaya splash on the 19th.

On April 20, Pattaya City will hold a scaled down version of the Pattaya Festival in front of the police station on Beach Road. Again, traditional values will be emphasized during the many activities planned for the day.

The day will begin with offering food to monks in the early morning. Later in the afternoon, the elderly will be honored in traditional fashion in celebration the traditional Thai New Year.

Other activities are also planned to spice up the colorful festival, such as shows and traditional Thai games.

In the evening the committee members will pay their respects to the ancestors through exhibiting ancient traditions that have been handed down over the generations.


Calling all shutterbugs - City to hold photo competition

“Pattaya-50 years” to highlight the city’s history as a tourist resort

Kamnod Sophonwasu, president of the Rotary Club of Pattaya, Pol. Maj. Somchai Ponsai, chief of the Pattaya Traffic Dep., Chanyut Hengtrakul, advisor to the Minister of Science, Technology and Environment, Poramese Ngamphiches, provincial council member for Banglamung, Aumppol Wannakij, deputy director of the TAT central region 3 and Nopadol Yotret, special activities manager for Mike Shopping Mall gathered at the Grand Sole to announce the “Pattaya-50 years” photo contest which will be held from May 5 to October 14.

If you have a special photo that you particularly like, it could be worth a trophy and up to 10,000 baht.

Provincial council member for Banglamung, Poramese Ngamphiches announced that Pattaya City will be holding a photo competition titled “Pattaya 50 years”. The theme of the contest, which expects to draw photo enthusiasts from around the country in a number of categories, will be the city’s history as a tourist resort in Thailand.

In a press conference at the Grand Sole Hotel announcing the contest, Poramese said that as a tourist destination, Pattaya has a colorful history. Organizers of the photo contest want to focus on the past 50 years through to the current day, depicting scenes from day to day life in the seaside resort.

The competition is open to everyone from tourists to residents, Thai and foreign, with the first prize being a trophy presented by the minister of Science, Technology and Environment Sonthaya Khunpluem. There is also 10,000 baht in prize money.

Runners-up and other distinguished photos will receive trophies from the TAT, Chonburi governor, and various associations in Pattaya.

Applications will be accepted from May 5th and the contest will run until October 14th this year. The contest is open to all shutterbugs, and will have professional, hobby photographers, the general public and youth categories (15-20 years).

The project is receiving support from Pattaya City, TAT (The Tourism Authority of Thailand) Central Region 3, private enterprises and government offices.

There is no entrance fee and everyone is welcome to submit his or her photos to the judges at 358/42 Moo 9, Ban Charoenrat, Soi Buakhow, Central Pattaya 20260, or call 038 412 709 or the TAT Office Central Region 3, tel. 038 428 750 from May 5th until October 14th 2002.

Winners will be announced on October 26th.


PBTA asks to shorten Wisdom Fair

“Soi Pattayaland is far enough”

One of the main topics focused on at the Pattaya Business and Tourist Association’s (PBTA) annual general meeting was the ‘Amazing Thai Wisdom Fair Pattaya’, which involves the closing of Beach Road from Central Pattaya all the way down to Bali High Point from 4 p.m. to midnight every Saturday. Many of the members of the PBTA meeting voiced their opinion that the closing of Beach Road is damaging various businesses.

In a show of hands the members of the PBTA voted to send a letter to the Chonburi governor asking him to consider reviewing the situation and rearranging the fair so that Beach Road would only be closed from Soi Pattayaland southward, rather than all the way down to Central Pattaya Road, thereby keeping the Walking Street confined to South Pattaya.

In another issue raised at the AGM, PBTA president Surat Mekavarakul announced that the association should implement standards for business operators in Pattaya to follow. Businesses conforming to the standards would be certified as PBTA approved businesses, similar to the Pattaya Jewelry Association. Other associations might eventually come under the same standardization, including the Restaurant Association of Pattaya, the Pattaya Tourism Association and tour companies.


Contractor had minor wife - major problems

Son also wounded in murder-suicide

Songpoom Pramoonpong, 46, the owner of the Golden Drome Contracting Company, last week shot and killed his minor wife, then turned the gun on himself.

Pattaya police arrived on the scene at approximately 11:20 p.m. and found 36-year-old Prapaporn Puklin dead in her car parked at the contracting company’s lot in South Pattaya. She had three bullet wounds to the head and upper body.

Police also found Songpoom Pramoonpong in a building close by. He had a bullet wound in the right side of his head. He was still alive at the time, but succumbed to his wounds before he could be transferred to the hospital.

Seventeen-year-old Thanakarn Pramoonpong was also in the building with his father. He, too, had been shot, and lay there with a bullet in his shoulder.

The ensuing police investigation revealed that Songpoom allegedly shot Prapaporn when she asked him to stop meeting her. This, plus mounting family and business problems, apparently pushed Songpoom over the edge.

After shooting Prapaporn, Songpoom went into his house to ask his wife to take care of his two sons, then attempted to leave. His son Thanakarn tried to stop him from killing himself, but the gun accidentally went off during the struggle, shooting Thanakarn in the shoulder.


Teenage gang hacks man’s arm with machete

Also shoots innocent woman bystander

A group of 5 teenage thugs attacked 30-year-old Samai Plaenggern with a machete outside the Krua Tai Restaurant in Soi Jirapol, North Pattaya when Samai attempted to leave the restaurant after a dispute.

The teenagers also attempted to shoot Samai, but missed and hit a 17-year-old girl in the leg as she was talking on the telephone outside.

When police arrived, Samai was bleeding profusely from his right arm from where the group had hit him with a machete. The young woman, 17-year-old Kornwipha Gunjant sustained a bullet wound to her right leg. Both were taken to Pattaya Memorial Hospital for treatment.

At the hospital, Samai told police that after an argument with the 5 teenagers, he left the Krua Tai Restaurant intending to go home, but they followed him outside and began attacking him.

Police are still looking for the gang.


Englishman trapped under crane for over an hour

Survives the weighty situation

One might consider Colin Marshall a lucky man. On April 12, a large crane toppled onto the 43-year-old Englishman, and although he was trapped beneath it for over an hour, he escaped with his life, albeit bloodied and bruised.

This huge crane became unbalanced and fell over on top of a tractor being driven by Englishman Colin Marshall, trapping him inside.

Colin Marshall manages the CD Machinery Factory in Pattaya. At about 4:30 p.m. on April 12, Colin was driving a tractor through the parking lot at the factory when nearby another factory worker lost control of the crane he was operating and it fell over, crashing down on top of Colin’s tractor, trapping him inside.

After an hour of hard work, rescue workers were finally able to extricate Colin from the wreckage - bloodied and bruised, but alive.

By the time rescue workers arrived, Colin was physically weak and his face, about the only part of his body that rescuers could see, was covered in blood.

Colin is a big man, yet despite his size, rescue workers somehow managed to extricate him through a small hole in the wreckage. His right ear was torn and his body was battered, but he was alive. He was immediately sent to Pattaya Memorial Hospital for treatment.

No doubt this is one Songkran he will never forget.


Paraplegic teenager found suffocated in his room

Large mattress had fallen on top of him

Fifteen-year-old Preecha Neangkratok was found dead in his room last week, a victim of suffocation. The boy was a paraplegic.

The boy’s father, Bhunthan Neangkratok, found the body under a mattress inside the boy’s room.

The distraught father told police that his son had been a paraplegic for many years. On that evening, before leaving the house he propped a large mattress on the wall and put his son to bed. When he returned home he found that the mattress had fallen on top of his son.

Police believe the boy had been dead for approximately two hours before being discovered, and that the cause of death was mostly likely asphyxiation from the large mattress that had fallen on the boy.

His body was transferred to the Nittiwed Institute for further forensic examination.